Capitola, California Public Records

Voter registration is available online through the California Secretary of State at registertovote.ca.gov, where eligible citizens can complete the process electronically using a California driver's license or ID card number. The standard registration deadline falls 15 days before any election, though California offers conditional voter registration through Election Day at vote centers and county elections offices. New residents need to provide their California address, date of birth, and last four digits of their Social Security number. Residents aged 16 and 17 can pre-register, with registration becoming active when they turn 18. As an incorporated city, Capitola holds municipal elections for City Council and Mayor. The City Council consists ofCity Council elections are held in November of even-numbered years, consolidated with statewide general elections. Local ballot measures specific to the city, such as sales tax increases, bond measures, or ordinance amendments, may also appear on ballots. Candidate information, campaign statements, and local measure details are available through the County Elections website and the City of Capitola website at www.cityofcapitola.org. Residents can find their assigned polling place or vote center location using the lookup tool at www.votescount.us or by calling the County Elections office. California has transitioned to a vote center model in many counties, allowing voters to cast ballots at any vote center in Santa Cruz County during early voting periods and on Election Day, rather than being restricted to a specific precinct polling place. Public election records in California include voter registration lists available to candidates, political parties, and committees for election purposes with some personal information redacted. Campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees are searchable through county and state databases. Candidate statements and declarations, precinct-level and vote center-level election results, and historical election data are also accessible. The County Elections website publishes unofficial results on election night and certified results after the official canvass The area consistently shows high participation rates in presidential and statewide elections. At the federal level, California's U.S. At the state level, 2026 is a gubernatorial election year, with races for California Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Public Instruction all on the ballot. California State Senate and Assembly seats will also be contested based on district election cycles. At the Santa Cruz County level, Santa Cruz County offices potentially on the ballot include County Supervisor districts elected by district to four-year terms, Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Clerk-Recorder, and Treasurer-Tax Collector, depending on term expiration schedules. City Council seats will also be contested in November 2026. Judicial seats for Santa Cruz County Superior Court may appear if vacancies occur or judges face retention. California operates as a universal vote-by-mail state: all registered voters automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot before each election, mailed to their registered address approximately 29 days before Election Day. Voters may complete and return the ballot by mail postmarked by Election Day, drop it in an official ballot drop box by 8:00 PM on Election Day, return it to any vote center in Santa Cruz County, or choose to vote in person at a vote center instead. Vote centers open for early voting beginning several days before Election Day. No excuse or justification is required for mail-in voting. Voters can track their ballot status online through the state's "Where's My Ballot?" system at www.wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov.